SPUC is urging the charity Down’s Syndrome Scotland (DSS) to stand up for the right to life of unborn babies who are diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, following a statement by DSS Chief Executive that aborting babies with Down’s syndrome is “an individual’s choice”.
SPUC has contacted DSS asking for an opportunity to discuss this.
Eddy McConnell, Chief Executive of DSS, who has a son with Down’s syndrome, expressed his concern on today’s BBC Kaye Adam’s show over Emmerdale’s upcoming Down’s syndrome abortion storyline, saying it is a “terrible moment” for the Down’s syndrome community. He also said that people diagnosed with Down’s syndrome are still seen as “less human”.
However, when asked if his charity would respect the choice to abort a baby following a Down’s syndrome diagnosis, Mr McConnell said: “We do respect it is an individual’s decision…We have had parents contact us who have made that decision.”
DSS must stand up for everyone in the Down’s syndrome community
Responding to Mr Connell’s comments, Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communication said: “If we want to erode the discriminatory attitudes that people with Down’s syndrome face and remove the stigma that surrounds the condition, we must stop subjecting unborn children with Down’s syndrome to violent discrimination through abortion.
“Many disability rights activists with Down’s syndrome have described how the current abortion law makes them feel like they shouldn’t exist. We should not be discriminating against them inside the womb.
“It would be fantastic to hear DSS speak out and stand up for everyone in the Down’s Syndrome community, born and unborn.”
Devaluing people with Down’s syndrome
The upcoming Emmerdale storyline which was discussed on this morning’s Kaye Adam’s show will feature a couple who abort their baby following a Down’s syndrome diagnosis.
In Britain during 2019, 3,394 unborn children were killed by abortion after being diagnosed with a disability. 1,184 of these children were killed after being diagnosed with a chromosomal anomaly such as Down’s syndrome
Concerned callers voiced their opinions on the Kaye Adam’s show and said that the storyline risks devaluing the lives of people with Down’s syndrome.
One caller, who has a 16 year old son with Down’s syndrome said: “What a lot in our community are very upset about is that it is desperately insensitive and offensive to people with Down’s syndrome for the storyline to be aired…
“It does highlight the discrimination that persists in maternity services…We need to be looking and asking why 90% of women terminate [after a Down’s syndrome diagnosis], because the bottom line is those of us who have a child with Down’s syndrome and people with Down’s syndrome are very happy with their lives.”